The Western Wall is located just inside the Dung Gate of the present day walled city. The Western Wall is also known as the “wailing wall” and it is very sacred to the Jews because it is part of the original wall surrounding the Temple Mount built by Herod the Great. The Western Wall is considered to be the holiest place for the Jews because it is the closest place to the site of their ancient temples, where they come to pray before the Lord, the Holy of Holies.
We passed through several security checks before actually being able to enter this area. Prior to entering one of the security check points we were in an open area.
We had the opportunity to place our prayers at the Wall – men on one side and women on the other. The side for the men was much larger than for the women. If you look carefully you can see wall dividing the men from the women.
While at the Wall their suddenly was a lot of commotion. Lots of teenage girls were grabbing plastic chairs and sliding them to the Wall that divided the men and women. There was lots of yelling and laughter and throwing candy or other objects across the wall. It seems there was a Bar Mitzvah taking place and this was the girls’ way of being involved.
Also along the divider were many women deep in prayer. As we approached the Wailing Wall women were lined up, those in deep prayer were rocking back and forth. We were told this helps them to remain focused upon the time of prayer – no way could anyone fall asleep praying this way.
We also learned that one of the reasons why Jews break a wedding glass is to commemorate the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
All around us were young men, and a few women, carrying their light-weight machine guns. The men and women are drafted at age 17, with the men serving 3 years in the Israeli Army and the women 2 years. I think about the impulsiveness of many 17 years old and realize this is the age group with the automatic weapons. A large group of soldiers were gathered near the Wall. Most had backpacks and it looked as if they were about to leave for some sort of training.
And, of course, in every country in every language, there is often the interest of young women seeking out a man in uniform. Her flirtatious ways were ever so evident. And he was eager to stop and chat.
While at the Western Wall we got a good view of the Dome of the Rock from the outside. Here are a few pictures of the Dome of the Rock. The mosaics are beautiful.
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Only Muslims are allowed inside. We were greeted immediately by young men who eagerly wanted to sell us post cards of the Dome of the Rock. Since we could not go inside, I made a purchase.
From all over Jerusalem, you can see the Dome of the Rock.
The Dome of the Rock is located on the Temple Mount called Mount Moriah in the Bible (2 Chronicles 3:1ff Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David…(I suggest you read the description). The Dome of the Rock was built between 687 and 691 Common Era (CE, formerly referred to as AD) and is decorated with beautiful Persian tiles. The Temple Mount was the site of the temples of Solomon, Zerubbabel and Herod.
Another interesting fact about the Dome of the Rock: The sacred rock over which the Dome of the Rock is built was considered holy before the arrival of Islam. Jews believed, and still believe, the rock to be the very place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac (an event which Muslims place in Mecca).
The Dome of the Rock is considered to be a place of great significance to Moslems (The ordinary word in English is "Muslim", pronounced /'mʊs.lɪm/ or /'mʌz.ləm/. The word is pronounced /'mʊslɪm/ in Arabic. It is sometimes transliterated "Moslem", an older, possibly Persian-based spelling, which some regard as offensive – taken from Wikipedia). The Moslems believe that Mohammed went to heaven from this spot. To Moslems the world over, the Dome of the Rock is a holy place and is next to Mecca and Medina in importance. The mosque was built between 709 and 715 AD and can hold about 5,000 worshipers.
In addition, the Dome of the Rock is believed by many to stand directly over the site of the Holy of Holies of both Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple.
During the time of daily prayers, the area is closed off. We were in between the times of prayer and were able to walk up to, but not enter, the mosque.
Hearing the prayers throughout the day is a special reminder of how we too should pause from the business of life. More than once I was awakened in the early morning hours just before sunrise by the prayers being prayed over a loud speaker. It a sense it was beautiful. There are five prayers that are prayed and thes are written around the Dome. Thought i would include some information about the specifics of their prayer life.
Muslims observe five formal prayers each day. The timings of these prayers are spaced fairly evenly throughout the day, so that one is constantly reminded of God and given opportunities to seek His guidance and forgiveness.
In Muslim communities, people are reminded of the daily prayer times through the calling of the adhan. For those in Muslim-minority communities, computerized adhan programs are available.Muslims observe the formal prayers at the following times:
Fajr (pre-dawn): This prayer starts off the day with the remembrance of God; it is performed before sunrise.
Dhuhr (noon): After the day's work has begun, one breaks shortly after noon to again remember God and seek His guidance.
'Asr (afternoon): In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of our lives.
Maghrib (sunset): Just after the sun goes down, Muslims remember God again as the day begins to come to a close.
'Isha (evening): Before retiring for the night, Muslims again take time to remember God's presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.
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